7 Answers
7

Last time I checked, there was no way to access the backup file status (or actual files) over the API. I suspect they have made this process difficult to automate by design.

I use the Salesforce scheduler to prepare the files on a weekly basis, then I have a scheduled task that runs on a local server which downloads the files. Assuming you have the ability to automate/script some web requests, here are some steps you can use to download the files:

Thanks! Any chance you could genericize your solution (or xxxx out your credentials/etc) and pastebin it? In the meantime I'm keeping an eye out on this new service from backupify: blog.backupify.com/2012/02/28/…
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ErikPApr 17 '12 at 17:14

The backupify project looks interesting. I would guess that they're pulling the data using one of the salesforce API's, rather than using the files prepared by Salesforce backup.
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Adam ButlerApr 17 '12 at 17:40

My solution is written in C#, would that be of use to you?
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Adam ButlerApr 17 '12 at 17:41

I think you're correct about backupify. I'm not familiar at all with C#, so no I wouldn't, but perhaps others might find it useful (I think there's a need out there) - Thanks again for your detailed feedback on this question!
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ErikPApr 18 '12 at 0:12

I'm Naomi, CMO and co-founder of cloudHQ, so I feel like this is a question I should probably answer. :-)

cloudHQ is a SaaS service that syncs your cloud. In your case, you'd never need to upload your reports as a data export from Salesforce, but you'll just always have them backed up in a folder labeled "Salesforce Reports" in whichever service you synchronized Salesforce with like: Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, Egnyte, Sharepoint, etc.

The service is not free, but there's a free 15 day trial. To date, there's no other service that actually syncs your Salesforce reports with other cloud storage companies in real-time.

Does the tool really use the scheduled export or does it do it's own? I ask because it uses the API (not the email link) and I heard the scheduled export links are not part of the API.
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MarcNov 27 '13 at 7:29